Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber

[ringbearer]

Originally posted by Butterburr
I just finished reading the Great Book of Amber. I liked the second half, with Merlin more than the first (it was good too), but came away wondering if Zelazny had really finished it. Does anyone know if he had been planning to continue the series before he died, or did he just like leaving the endings of his stories open?

I think an epilog would have been nice, as well. I hated the fact that Merlin left Frakir tied to the bedpost in Brand's room!

[mirrille]

Yes, yes, yes!
(*nodding emphatically)
I was wondering the whole time when he was going to sneak back and get her, but he never did. Too busy with everything else going on, I guess.

[ringbearer]

Toward the end of the story he sent Corwin to Amber to tie up a few loose ends, hopefully untie some, as well!

[mirrille]

I thought it was weird how at several points Ghost takes the appearance of a cord around Merlin's wrist where Frakir should be because he thinks Merlin is more comfortable not missing something there, but Merlin does not once stop to think, "Hey! Maybe I should get around to untying Frakir. She may be getting lonely/bored being stuck back there."
I was under the impression that Zelazny would have written a third series if he could have gotten around to it. He did die very young, didn't he? But this way, we can believe whatever we want about what happened.
I'm sure I missed alot of stuff my first time reading this series. I think I will have to read it again soon.

[Butterburr]

Originally posted by mirrille
I thought it was weird how at several points Ghost takes the appearance of a cord around Merlin's wrist where Frakir should be because he thinks Merlin is more comfortable not missing something there, but Merlin does not once stop to think, "Hey! Maybe I should get around to untying Frakir. She may be getting lonely/bored being stuck back there."

I wonder if this had anything to do with the ring Merlin got. He and others did say that it "bespelled" him. I liked how there were nine of those rings, and no one knew their origin. I had fun imagining that they were the "nine rings for mortal men". This was a good series. What else by Zelazny would any of you recommend?

[mirrille]

Well, you see, I thought that too, except Merlin eventually finds/figures out what the ring is doing to him. And he still doesn't clue in "Oh! Frakir was trying to protect me from this thing. Maybe I should be worried about her."
Yes. Those rings are very interesting.
There's so much in this series that is a mystery. The world is very detailed, but there's just no place to really explain everything about it. It's pretty neat though.
I understand most of Zelazny's other stuff is more sci-fi. I haven't read anything else of his, except maybe a short story or two.

[ringbearer]

Originally posted by mirrille

I understand most of Zelazny's other stuff is more sci-fi. I haven't read anything else of his, except maybe a short story or two.

Try these...

Lord of Light
Roadmarks

[ringbearer]

The last third of "Prince of Chaos" seemed hurried...possibly a deadline, or maybe he knew he was going to die.

The worst part is I missed a chance to drive just 60 miles to go meat Roger at a book signing...did not know it was my only chance. I was going to grill him about Frakir!

[mirrille]

I've been looking around on the web and I found out that Roger actually wrote 5 short stories about Amber before he died. Apparently, he knew he was going to die and was looking to tie off some of the loose ends. The bad news is that these stories got published in several different places. Some of them got published in magazines, and some in anthologies, so they would be really hard, if not impossible, to track down.

There's even one where Frakir works herself loose from the bedpost and goes looking for help.
I want to find these stories.

[ringbearer]

Give us some links...so we can look, too.

[mirrille]

Try this link. It has short synopses and some ordering information.

http://www.io.com/~andyr/rzassum.html

I wasn't really able to find any more info on this though.

[ringbearer]

That is cool! I am going to try and get some of these stories...perhaps we can share them someway.

[Sauron's Nagging Wife]

Any luck, ringbearer?

[ringbearer]

Sorry for the late reply. No Luck, so far.

[FrodoFriend]

I never really liked Merlin that much . . . Corwin and Random were always my favorites. The coolest thing about Amber is the Trumps, though. I just love them! I thought it was quite original, having playing cards as communication devices.

[mirrille]

Corwin is one smart cookie. My first impression was: wow! this guy's pretty sharp!
I think Merlin is basically a "nice" guy, so he works a little differently. He strikes me as being a little more trusting, as much as he can be given his environment. He doesn't have the same "tough guy" aura. Corwin is not what I would call nice. I like Merlin, but Corwin is more fun to watch because navigates the politics a bit better.

Ringbearer, no luck? So it's not worth my while to go hunting, is it?

[FrodoFriend]

That's why I like Corwin, personally. But then, my tastes are known to be a bit dark at times.

[ringbearer]

Originally posted by mirrille

Ringbearer, no luck? So it's not worth my while to go hunting, is it?

No, do not give up...I am not good at hunting, you may be better!

[ringbearer]

Originally posted by FrodoFriend
I never really liked Merlin that much . . . Corwin and Random were always my favorites. The coolest thing about Amber is the Trumps, though. I just love them! I thought it was quite original, having playing cards as communication devices.

Yes, the Trumps are cool! The Pattern is cooler. Now that I think about it more, I think my favorite character was Dworkin. He knew(knows?) it all! Appearantly(sp?) any Chaos lord can draw a Trump...but not all of them would have the guts to draw a pattern in Chaos.

[FrodoFriend]

Yeah, Dworkin's cool too. I love how he just seems to be a crazy old man . . . I'll watch out for crazy old men from now on!